If you’re not busy on Wednesday night (for instance, attending the ReThink London event scheduled at the EXACT SAME TIME at the Wolf Performance Hall), attend the performers’ showcase, which starts at 7 p.m. at the London Convention Centre Theatre. Each theatre company will have a few minutes to introduce their shows, giving you a taste of most of the offerings.

Here are a few of my suggestions to start you off on this year’s buffet, based solely on performers’ previous work:

Keith Brown: Exchange (Venue 2): Magic performed by a talented young man who obviously loves what he does. Suspend your disbelief for a while.

The Italian Lesson (Venue 3): The program describes this show as “Operatic Monologue.” Yes, indeed. I don’t like opera either, but I’ve enjoyed every one of Sonja Gustafson’s previous operas presented at the Fringe.

Riding Hood (Venue 6): Dance. Yes, indeed. Ashley Morrow and her brilliant company mesmerized me with their last two shows (both of which I saw twice). Go see this.

Iago vs. Hamlet (Venue 6): Last year, Jayson McDonald channelled William S. Burroughs in Underbelly. Can’t wait to see what he does with the Bard, with the help of occasional Stratford performer Harry Edison.

Happy Days (Site C): Once again, I reveal myself to be a philistine: I don’t get Beckett. But the Passionfool Theatre Company has consistently created captivating productions, and they’ve got a mound of awards to prove it.

The eight-member Theatre in London review team will be posting opening weekend reviews of ALL of the shows over the next few days; these should be very helpful in guiding your Fringing. Look for them on the Fringe website, and in paper form asThe Banner on Wednesday; after the festival they’ll be posted here.

And don’t forget to talk to the people you see in pre-show line-ups — hear about a show, make a new friend!